Optima
Optima
Year: 1958
Designer: Hermann Zapf
Foundry: D. Stempel
Designed for use in headlines as well as body copy (“both the body and the head”), Optima has proven to be a favorite since its 1958 release. In addition to editorial print applications, Optima is a popular choice for wordmark logos, especially in the fashion and beauty sectors. One of its most famous applications is as the typeface for the list of names fallen soldiers engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Technically a humanist sans-serif, Optima has a slight flaring at its terminals that evokes a hand-crafted quality. Not surprising, as its designer Hermann Zapf was one of the most accomplished calligraphers and type designers of the 20th century. In addition to Optima, Zapf also created Palatino, Melior, Zapf Chancery, Zapfino and dozens more.